APRIL 2009 Report

Darren O'Neil

The Employee Free Choice Act is vital legislation to rebuilding the middle class in America. As union members we know the value of strong representation in the workplace. We also remember what it was like to fight for the right to have a voice on the job, a say in how you are treated, hours that you work, wages you receive, and the benefits you receive. But millions of non-union workers across the country don’t have these rights, and it’s time for that to change.

With passing of The Employee Free Choice Act we can begin rebuilding the middle class and revitalize our sagging economy. If working families are to survive this key piece of legislation must pass. History has shown that our economy performs its best when the middle class is its strongest.

A study by Hart Research Associates found that 60 percent of non-managerial American workers would join a union if they could. So why have we seen union numbers decline over the past years? Since the 1970’s employers have become experts at harassing and intimidating their workers that most workers are scared to mention the word union or even try to join one.

The Employee Free Choice Act would re-establish fairness for employees to organize their workplace. The Employee Free Choice Act would change the currently existing procedure to require the National Labor Relations Board to certify a union as the bargaining representative without directing an election if a majority of employees signed authorization cards and give the right to employees to choose a secret ballot election in cases where less than a majority of employees has chosen to unionize through card check.

The proposed legislation would also establish stricter penalties for employers who violate provisions of the National Labor Relations Act when workers seek to form a union, and set in place new mediation and arbitration procedures for disputes in achieving a first contract.

The Employee Free Choice Act will help level the playing field and give workers the right to seek union representation free of intimidation from their employer. It is time to put the power back in the hands of the workers in America.

Support the Employee Free Choice Act. Contact your Senators and Representatives in Congress and tell them to vote yes on The Employee Free Choice Act. Please click on the following links for further information, to sign the petition, or find contact information for your Senator or Representative.

www.teamsters.org

www.FreeChoiceAct.org

www.americanrightsatwork.org.

Fraternally,                                           

Darren L. O’Neil                                       

Secretary/Treasurer

Teamsters Local 252